ACADEMIC PAPERS

A collection of academic papers written during my time as an undergraduate student at the Ohio State University.

History of Art: Zhang Xiaogang's "Bloodline" Series and Its Contemporary Connections

Although initially created as a commentary on the emotional scars left behind by the Cultural Revolution, Zhang Xiaogang’s “Bloodline” series, centered on the theme of family, has contemporary implications. Indeed, the emphasis on interconnectivity of society as a whole — often at the expense of individuality — can still be seen in governmental initiatives today, such as the Two Child Policy.

Chinese Drama: Analyzing the Myth of the Incorruptible Official

The concept of the "incorruptible official” is traditionally viewed with either skepticism or awe. On one hand, it is thought that an individual’s self-righteousness could lead to misjudgments and vindictiveness. Yet, the more popular and prevalent belief is one that celebrates those who are unerring and dauntless in their judgment. It is this second view of an official’s incorruptibility that is championed by Judge Bao, a recurring character in more than one hundred Chinese plays, chantefables and stories.

Chinese Film: Facing Fate in Zhang Yimou's To Live

In his 1994 film To Live, director Zhang Yimou pits the fragility of life against the forces of fate as he thrusts his audience through three tumultuous decades in China’s history. To Liveis rich in symbolism, which serves to share a message of perseverance through a lifetime of hardship. In his thematic and artistic choices, Zhang focuses on the devastating impacts of China’s changing political and social climate while exploring the competing notions of agency and structure as they pertain to a family’s survival.

NELC: Naming Traditions in Mesopotamian Myths and Culture

From the names and destinies commanded of mountainous rocks to the myriad titles bestowed on deities and heroes, the use of naming customs for purposes beyond simple identification is a theme apparent in many examples of ancient literature. The appearance of a ceremonial naming tradition applied to humans and objects in several myths exemplifies the value Ancient Mesopotamian culture placed on names as a way of determining destinies, defining fundamental natures and granting power.

NELC: Magic and Magicians in the Ancient Egyptian and Modern Worlds

The magic portrayed in the myths of Ancient Egypt is a far cry from the “pick a card, any card” slight of hand boasted by today’s amateur magicians. The Egyptians’ fascination and respect for magic and those who performed it is something that is no longer echoed in American culture today, yet its importance remains, as the portrayal of magic as a mythological theme gives helpful glimpses into how individuals in this ancient culture viewed the world.

Geography: Environmental Impacts of China's One Child Policy

Increased anxiety over skewed gender ratios and gradual relaxation of the rule in the past years eventually culminated in the government’s decision to allow families to have two children, but this decision is entangled in competing interests. While human rights supporters rejoice in the victory, demographers and scientists worry that this will lead to an unsustainable population boom that will have adverse affects on the global environment. It remains to be seen how China’s new era of social policy will coincide with the climatic changes the Earth is collectively experiencing every day.